Mufti of Egypt: "We Want a President Like 'Umar bin al-Khattab"

This is the same 'Umar bin al-Khattab who forced Christians to sign a treaty which is known as the "Pact of Umar," and which has become the model for how Islam treats non-Muslims living under its rule. In this treaty, the Christians were made to promise not to build new churches or repair old ones, not to display crosses in public, not to imitate Muslims in dress or speech, not to build houses taller than those of Muslims, and so on.

Cairo: Dr. 'Ali Juma'a, Mufti of the Egyptian Arab Republic, identified sincerity and competence as two principal criteria to be used for choosing the next president of Egypt. He stated that sincerity means love of the country, which we measure by looking at the history of this man through his actions and accomplishments whereby he has benefited the country, and through which he will present himself to the people. Also competence should be displayed in the program that he presents to the public. In sum, he said that we want a president like 'Umar bin al-Khattab and 'Umar bin 'Abd-al-'Aziz.

The Mufti of Egypt added that "We must fear Allah with regards to us and the people of Egypt, and remember the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him) , 'Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good one and it will wipe it out, and behave well towards people'."...